Non-dinosaurian Lower Vertebrates Across the Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary in Northeastern Montana

Download or read book Non-dinosaurian Lower Vertebrates Across the Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary in Northeastern Montana written by Laurie J. Bryant and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 1989-01-01 with total page 128 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 00 This study presents current data on vertebrate survival and extinction across the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary in Montana. Nearly all the common taxa of reptiles (except dinosaurs), amphibians, and fish survived the end of the Cretaceous Period; extinctions were concentrated among rare groups and those found in near-shore habitats. The author concludes that ocean regression and climatic deterioration may explain these selective extinction patterns better than catastrophic hypotheses. This study presents current data on vertebrate survival and extinction across the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary in Montana. Nearly all the common taxa of reptiles (except dinosaurs), amphibians, and fish survived the end of the Cretaceous Period; extinctions were concentrated among rare groups and those found in near-shore habitats. The author concludes that ocean regression and climatic deterioration may explain these selective extinction patterns better than catastrophic hypotheses.